Soul Over Hype: Poloko NB’s push to heal through Hip-Hop
Johannes Kambai | Friday October 9, 2026 11:00
“To a new listener I would describe my music as a breath of fresh air,” he says, “a chance to experience what it sounds like when someone becomes freely creative with their music.” That creativity did not arrive by accident. Hip-hop first gripped him, then two artists sealed the deal. “I was truly inspired by Nasty C and NF,” Poloko explains. “They served as a catalyst to me making the decision to rap because I looked at them and said, ‘I want to impact someone’s life just like that.’” Sound wise he also draws from Dramaboi, SketchThaHoodie and Osta Tyger, yet he insists the real difference is soul.
“I really try to add soul to the songs I write. I don’t want it to be just another song. I want for at least one person to come back to it and say it made an impact in their day to day.” The road has been uneven. Money remains the constant obstacle.
“Everything about being an artist from just recording a song to promo and shooting music videos requires money which for someone of my age doesn’t really come around that often,” he admits. Balancing art and business keeps him awake at night. Still, he counts working with the trio Bafana Ba as his biggest achievement so far. “They have really become big brothers to me who continue to show me the best ways to navigate through the musical industry,” he adds.
Social media gives him control that traditional media like radio never could. On Botswana’s support for newcomers he is measured: platforms like COSBOTS help track plays and pay royalties, yet not every gatekeeper opens the door for unknowns. Looking ahead he wants a collaboration with Baxon, a fellow Orapa product he respects for consistency. The song that best captures him right now is 2Taozen, recorded with Stellar Atsile and CoolNerrd. Fans, he says, should expect a different version of him one less obsessed with whether a track will blow up.
“When it’s time for me to be famous I believe it shall happen.” Why listen? His answer is simple and direct: “Because I make music that brings healing and joy, and who doesn’t want to be in good health as well as joyful?”